the landscape

Competition for water resources is growing throughout California, particularly in the Central Valley. Since 1980, the Central Valley’s population has nearly doubled to 4.3 million people. Population is expected to go to grow up to 8.8 million by 2030. Statewide population growth, anticipated reductions in Colorado river water deliveries, drought, and the ecological crisis in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta have created an intense demand for water.

The depletion of groundwater at a variety of scales and the compounding effects of recent droughts have emphasized the need for an updated status on the availability of the Central Valley’s groundwater resources.